"Fantastic Four" and the Ultimate Sacrifice

From the '828' Universe to Our Own, an Ultimate Sacrifice Matters 

by Bryce Morgan

In Matt Shakman's fun, retro-fied, cinematic take on Marvel's original superhero team, The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Marvel Studios, 2025), Sue Storm (aka "The Invisible Woman") delivers this powerful line at one of the movie's main hinge points: 

"I will not sacrifice my child for this world. But I will also not sacrifice this world for my child." 

This declaration is inspired by the awful demand that an entity known as Galactus (the 'world eater') has made if he is to spare the Earth. Turn over Reed and Sue's newborn child, Franklin, and he will satisfy his planetary appetite elsewhere. Galactus, discerning that Franklin is already a very powerful being (and, as an 'omega level' mutant, will become even more powerful as he gets older), believes this child may be the only real solution for his all-consuming, cosmic hunger. 

Even though Sue begins to face intense public pressure (pressure to turn over her child so that billions might live), she is unwavering in her determination to protect her son. But as is clear from the quote above, Sue is also a woman of incredible wisdom and moral clarity. The same virtue that fuels her motherly commitment also fuels her commitment to her fellow human beings. If necessary, she will fight with every last drop of her life to save both her son and her world. As she announces this commitment to a restless crowd outside the Baxter Building, her conviction seems to turn the tide of their sentiments. And as those who have seen the film already know, Sue will, in fact, sacrifice everything to fulfill these commitments.

But what if we move from this 'Earth 828', cinematic reality to our own reality (what we might call 'reality reality')? While many people have nobly laid down their lives to save a child, a spouse, a citizen in distress, or even a squad of fellow soldiers, no single, mere mortal has ever been asked to give his or her life so that the entire world might be spared from such an immense threat. Surely such a plot point is only found in comic books or on the big screen, right? In fact, for two-thousand years the Christian message has declared just such a sacrifice. No, a planet-eating, space entity was not involved. But when Jesus gave his life for our world, his death had (and still has!) radical and global implications. Why? Because of the immense threat of death and divine judgment that hung/hangs over our world as a result of what Scripture calls "sin". While many think of individual sins (plural) when they hear that word, the essence of sin is spiritual rebellion against the Entity who created us. 

While Sue Storm's resolve is an amazing picture of love, the underlying power and beauty of that picture comes from God himself, a God who "is love" (I John 4:8). For God has gone beyond the fictional virtue of Sue Storm and really did sacrifice his own Son, so that the world might not perish because of sin's demand (cf. John 3:16). But unlike Franklin, who was only baby in his mother's care, Jesus the man was in perfect agreement with his Father's epic plan. With an unwavering determination to do his Father's will, and long before the Invisible Woman was introduced to comic book readers, Jesus willingly gave every last drop of his life to save you and me. But like the recent, on-screen depiction of Sue Storm, Jesus also returned to life after his costly victory on the cross. In fact, he didn't merely cheat death. He beat death! 

Take a moment to think about this: if the restless crowd in The Fantastic Four: First Steps was touched by Sue's conviction as a mother and a hero, how much more should we be touched by the real-life conviction of Jesus Christ, the most significant person who has ever lived? For only he perfectly embodies these characters, both Sue and Franklin; as the child, the sacrifice, and the One who has power over even death itself. I pray you know his rescue.

Bryce Morgan is a husband and father, and the founder of Pop Eternal. He's also the creator of the Captain Sun adventures, as well as the author of "Confessions of a Secret Santa".